remember the alamo

1 1/2 oz Reposado Tequila (Lunazul)
1 oz Punt e Mes
1/4 oz Cherry Heering
2 dash Angostura Bitters

Stir with ice, strain into a cocktail glass pre-rinsed with absinthe (St. George), and garnish with a cherry (omit).
Two Sundays ago, I reached for The Canon Cocktail Book and spotted a riff on the Remember the Maine that Charles H. Baker, Jr. recorded in The Gentleman's Companion. I was more intrigued by the swapping of Punt e Mes for the classic's sweet vermouth than I was by the aged tequila taking the place of the whiskey. Once built, the Remember the Alamo gave forth an anise aroma from the absinthe rinse at first before offering agave and other herbal notes. On the palate, the sip was dominated by the Punt e Mes' grape flavor, and the swallow lent vegetal agave and bitter cherry flavors with an anise finish.